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$lopes on a budget
Alan W. Arata
It is not necessary to go out and buy a complete set of the latest designer ski or snowboard clothing in order to hit the slopes. However, the right clothing will make your outings more comfortable.
In general, one needs to be covered from head to toe when playing in the snow, and since skiing or snowboarding already includes boots, this means from helmet to socks.
No one should be on the slopes without a helmet, whether for protection against hitting something or against being hit.
When looking for a helmet, the most important thing is fit. Only a helmet that fits correctly will properly protect a head. Poorly fitting helmets can be worse than nothing, giving a false sense of security.
Helmets for kids are a necessity. As kids’ heads grow earlier than the rest of their bodies, by the time they start to ski or board, their heads are relatively near adult size, so a helmet can last them several years, especially with the multiple-pad adjustments that come with most helmets.
Used helmets can be inexpensive, but remember, they must fit well. New helmets cost around $80-$100, used around $20. If you buy used, make sure that the Styrofoam on the inside is not compacted. If this ever happens to a helmet, throw it away — it won’t protect you as it was designed to.
Jackets
Jackets are probably the most expensive outerwear needed for alpine sports. Top-of-the-line jackets can cost over $500, really nice ones are $200-$300. Jackets at a second-hand store, ski swap or garage sale can be under $30.
There are some things you should look for in a jacket, whether new or used. Look for warmth, vent zippers, lots of pockets, and a look that won’t go out of style.
Pants
Pants are a fairly simple item. In general, they should be waterproof and made of a rip-stop material. Many people ski in non-water proof pants, but if there is snow or ice on the lift, it will soak through, and a cold, wet bottom is no fun. Snowboarders with strap-in bindings often sit on the snow to strap-in, so waterproof pants are a must.
Pants come in two general styles. One is a belt-type, the other a bib-type. In general, the bib-style pants provide more protection from snow up the coat. Bibs are recommended for kids for this reason. It is common to find new pants on sale for around $50, and at second-hand stores for less than $10.
Gloves/Mittens
In the past few years, gloves and mittens have become ergonomically engineered pieces of clothing, and for both hand and foot coverings, you get what you pay for.
Gloves or mittens should have long cuff extensions with a lacelocking/tightening mechanism to keep out the snow. A bite tab in the lower area of the palm helps one pull on the glove or mitten. Some gloves come with a small scraper to remove snow from your goggles, and believe it or not, an index finger pad for wiping a drippy nose.
Gloves or mittens? Gloves are more functional, but mittens are warmer. When your fingers are cold, they’re not functional, so if you can find a good pair of mittens, go with the mittens.
One of the best methods is to wear an under layer of thin gloves inside any hand coverings (some include them). That way if you have to take the mittens or gloves off to do something that takes more dexterity, you will still have some protection against the weather.
It’s not common to find either gloves or mittens used. The best advice here is to buy very good protection for your hands. Buying gloves and mittens during the off and end-of-season sales is the best bet for getting good ones at a reasonable price.
Socks
There are socks that are manufactured specifically for skiing and snowboarding. They are expensive (around $15 per pair), but will make a major difference over the course of a season.
A good pair of socks should provide support over the calf to help blood return to the heart and might have special sections with different weaves around the ankle to help prevent blisters. It should provide extra cushioning around the ball of the foot and other pressure points to help with overall comfort.
Socks can be found two-for-the-price-of-one at certain times of the year, or buy-one-get-the-second-for-half-off. Everyone needs at least two pair for a season — just in case you stay at the mountain and go two days in a row. Also when buying socks, it is wise to avoid cotton, which soaks with sweat and makes for wet feet.
Face Warmers
Various items to keep your face and neck warm are available. These include bandanas (cotton, so they stay wet), scarves, neck-warmers, ear-warmers and full-head warmers. The most protective are neoprene masks that cost $12-$20.
This should take care of your clothing needs from head to toe. Second-hand stores already have a lot of ski clothing for sale. If you’re on a budget, this is your first and best place to start looking for gear.
It is not necessary to go out and buy a complete set of the latest designer ski or snowboard clothing in order to hit the slopes. However, the right clothing will make your outings more comfortable.
In general, one needs to be covered from head to toe when playing in the snow, and since skiing or snowboarding already includes boots, this means from helmet to socks.
No one should be on the slopes without a helmet, whether for protection against hitting something or against being hit.
When looking for a helmet, the most important thing is fit. Only a helmet that fits correctly will properly protect a head. Poorly fitting helmets can be worse than nothing, giving a false sense of security.
Helmets for kids are a necessity. As kids’ heads grow earlier than the rest of their bodies, by the time they start to ski or board, their heads are relatively near adult size, so a helmet can last them several years, especially with the multiple-pad adjustments that come with most helmets.
Used helmets can be inexpensive, but remember, they must fit well. New helmets cost around $80-$100, used around $20. If you buy used, make sure that the Styrofoam on the inside is not compacted. If this ever happens to a helmet, throw it away — it won’t protect you as it was designed to.
Jackets
Jackets are probably the most expensive outerwear needed for alpine sports. Top-of-the-line jackets can cost over $500, really nice ones are $200-$300. Jackets at a second-hand store, ski swap or garage sale can be under $30.
There are some things you should look for in a jacket, whether new or used. Look for warmth, vent zippers, lots of pockets, and a look that won’t go out of style.
Pants
Pants are a fairly simple item. In general, they should be waterproof and made of a rip-stop material. Many people ski in non-water proof pants, but if there is snow or ice on the lift, it will soak through, and a cold, wet bottom is no fun. Snowboarders with strap-in bindings often sit on the snow to strap-in, so waterproof pants are a must.
Pants come in two general styles. One is a belt-type, the other a bib-type. In general, the bib-style pants provide more protection from snow up the coat. Bibs are recommended for kids for this reason. It is common to find new pants on sale for around $50, and at second-hand stores for less than $10.
Gloves/Mittens
In the past few years, gloves and mittens have become ergonomically engineered pieces of clothing, and for both hand and foot coverings, you get what you pay for.
Gloves or mittens should have long cuff extensions with a lacelocking/tightening mechanism to keep out the snow. A bite tab in the lower area of the palm helps one pull on the glove or mitten. Some gloves come with a small scraper to remove snow from your goggles, and believe it or not, an index finger pad for wiping a drippy nose.
Gloves or mittens? Gloves are more functional, but mittens are warmer. When your fingers are cold, they’re not functional, so if you can find a good pair of mittens, go with the mittens.
One of the best methods is to wear an under layer of thin gloves inside any hand coverings (some include them). That way if you have to take the mittens or gloves off to do something that takes more dexterity, you will still have some protection against the weather.
It’s not common to find either gloves or mittens used. The best advice here is to buy very good protection for your hands. Buying gloves and mittens during the off and end-of-season sales is the best bet for getting good ones at a reasonable price.
Socks
There are socks that are manufactured specifically for skiing and snowboarding. They are expensive (around $15 per pair), but will make a major difference over the course of a season.
A good pair of socks should provide support over the calf to help blood return to the heart and might have special sections with different weaves around the ankle to help prevent blisters. It should provide extra cushioning around the ball of the foot and other pressure points to help with overall comfort.
Socks can be found two-for-the-price-of-one at certain times of the year, or buy-one-get-the-second-for-half-off. Everyone needs at least two pair for a season — just in case you stay at the mountain and go two days in a row. Also when buying socks, it is wise to avoid cotton, which soaks with sweat and makes for wet feet.
Face Warmers
Various items to keep your face and neck warm are available. These include bandanas (cotton, so they stay wet), scarves, neck-warmers, ear-warmers and full-head warmers. The most protective are neoprene masks that cost $12-$20.
This should take care of your clothing needs from head to toe. Second-hand stores already have a lot of ski clothing for sale. If you’re on a budget, this is your first and best place to start looking for gear.
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